Orly Gateway
Your comprehensive guide to Paris's vital southern aviation hub, exploring its operations, history, and connectivity.
Discover Orly 👇 Explore Airlines 🧳Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Airport Overview
Key Information
Paris Orly Airport (French: Aéroport de Paris-Orly, pronounced [ae.ʁɔ.pɔʁ də pa.ʁi .ɔʁ.li]) is one of two primary international airports serving the Paris metropolitan area, the other being Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Located 13 km south of Paris, Orly serves as a crucial secondary hub, particularly for domestic and overseas territories flights operated by Air France, and is the home base for Transavia France. Its operations extend to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and North America.
Traffic Significance
Historically, Orly was Paris's main airport until the opening of Charles de Gaulle Airport in 1974. Despite the shift of major international traffic to CDG, Orly remains the busiest French airport for domestic traffic and the second busiest overall. In 2024, it handled approximately 33.1 million passengers and facilitated over 203,000 aircraft movements, underscoring its continued importance in the region's air transport network.
Identification Codes
The airport is identified by the following codes:
- IATA: ORY
- ICAO: LFPO
- WMO Station Identifier: 07149
Its official website is www.parisaeroport.fr/en/orly-airport.
Geographic Context
Territorial Span
Orly Airport covers an area of 15.3 square kilometers (5.9 sq mi). Its infrastructure is distributed across two French departments and seven communes:
- Essonne Department: Includes parts of Paray-Vieille-Poste (West Terminal and half of South Terminal), Wissous, Athis-Mons, Chilly-Mazarin, and Morangis.
- Val-de-Marne Department: Encompasses parts of Villeneuve-le-Roi and Orly (half of South Terminal).
The airport's management is centralized under Groupe ADP, which also oversees other major Parisian airports.
Coordinates and Elevation
The airport is situated at an elevation of 89 meters (291 feet) above sea level. Its precise geographic coordinates are:
Latitude: 48°43′24″N
Longitude: 02°22′46″E
Historical Trajectory
Early Development
Originally known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport, it was established in 1932 as a secondary facility to Le Bourget Airport. Prior to its aviation role, large airship hangars designed by Eugène Freyssinet were constructed on the site starting in 1923.
World War II Operations
During World War II, Orly was utilized by the German Luftwaffe as a combat airfield. It sustained repeated attacks from Allied forces, resulting in significant infrastructure damage. Following the Battle of Normandy, it was partially repaired by USAAF engineers and served as tactical airfield A-47, hosting fighter-bomber units before returning to French government control post-war.
Post-War Expansion and Modernization
The post-war era saw Orly develop into a major international gateway. The airport underwent significant runway extensions and terminal developments. In 2012, a major project was initiated to consolidate the South and West terminals into a single, larger terminal complex. The airport was rebranded under the "Paris Aéroport" banner in 2016 as part of Groupe ADP's corporate strategy.
Terminal Infrastructure
Terminals 1 & 2 (West Terminal)
Formerly the West Terminal, this section was renovated and renamed in March 2019. It features two floors and a gate area comprising four "fingers" (A, B, C). Level 0 houses arrivals facilities, including baggage reclaim belts and various services. Level 1 is dedicated to departures, with extensive retail and dining options. Approximately 23 stands are equipped with jet-bridges, capable of handling wide-body aircraft.
Terminal 3 (Junction Building)
Inaugurated in April 2019, Terminal 3 serves as a central connecting point between Terminals 1, 2, and 4. It offers approximately 5,000 m² of duty-free shopping, dining facilities, and lounges. This terminal provides seamless transit between all airport areas, featuring gates D and E with direct access to Orly 4 departure gates.
Terminal 4 (South Terminal)
Originally the South Terminal, this distinctive 1961 steel-and-glass structure comprises six floors. While lower and upper levels house service facilities and offices, Level 0 features arrivals services and retail counters. Level 1 is the airside departure area, equipped with 15 jet-bridge-accessible gates, some suitable for wide-body aircraft.
Airlines
Major Carriers
Orly Airport hosts a diverse range of airlines serving numerous destinations. Key carriers operating scheduled and charter flights include:
- Air France: Hub for domestic and overseas territories routes.
- Transavia France: Home base for its operations.
- Corsair International: Significant presence for long-haul routes.
- easyJet: Major European low-cost carrier.
- Vueling: Another key low-cost operator with extensive European network.
Other notable airlines include Air Algérie, Air Caraïbes, Air Europa, French Bee, Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, and Tunisair, among others.
Destinations Network
International Connectivity
Orly Airport connects Paris to a wide array of international destinations, particularly in Europe, North Africa, and the Caribbean. The busiest international routes in 2024 included Madrid, Lisbon, Rome Fiumicino, Porto, and Barcelona, reflecting strong connections within Europe.
Domestic Network
Domestically, Orly serves as a vital link to various French regions, especially the overseas departments and territories. The primary domestic routes highlight strong connectivity within mainland France and to popular island destinations.
Operational Metrics
Passenger Traffic Trends
Orly Airport has experienced fluctuating passenger traffic, notably impacted by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic recovery has shown a strong rebound, with passenger numbers approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Aircraft Movements
The airport recorded 203,757 aircraft movements in 2024, reflecting its busy operational schedule. This figure encompasses takeoffs and landings for both commercial and non-commercial flights.
Ground Connectivity
Rail and Metro
Orly Airport is well-integrated into the Paris public transport network:
- Paris Métro Line 14: Provides a direct link to central Paris, reaching Châtelet–Les Halles station in approximately 25 minutes.
- Tramway T7: Connects Terminal 4 with Villejuif–Louis Aragon station on Paris Métro Line 7.
- Orlyval: An automated shuttle connecting airport terminals (Orly 1,2,3 and Orly 4) with Antony station on RER B, offering further connections to the city and TGV services.
- Grand Paris Express: The new Aéroport d'Orly station, served by Métro Line 14 since June 2024 and Line 18 from 2027, enhances connectivity to major hubs like Paris-Saclay.
Bus and Coach Services
Various bus services provide access to and from the airport:
- Disneyland Magical Shuttle: Direct service to Disneyland Paris.
- RATP Bus 183: Connects to Rungis International Market and offers connections to RER C and Tram T9.
- Albatrans Bus 91-10: Links to Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines station, providing access to Transilien and TGV services via Massy-Palaiseau.
- Noctilien Night Buses: Several lines (N22, N31, N131, N144) provide overnight service to various Paris stations.
Road Access
Orly Airport is directly accessible via the A106 autoroute, a spur of the A6 autoroute, facilitating convenient travel by private vehicle.
Notable Incidents
Aviation Accidents
Orly Airport has been the site of several significant aviation accidents throughout its history:
- 1974: Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (McDonnell Douglas DC-10) crashed near Ermenonville due to cargo door failure, resulting in 346 fatalities.
- 1973: Varig Flight 820 (Boeing 707) caught fire and crash-landed short of the runway, causing 123 deaths.
- 1962: Air France Flight 007 (Boeing 707) crashed on takeoff, killing 130 people.
- Other incidents involved various aircraft types, including Caravelles, C-119s, and DC-6s, with varying degrees of severity and fatalities.
Security-Related Events
The airport has also been the target of security incidents:
- 1975 & 1978: RPG attacks and shootings by Palestinian militant groups resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
- 1983: A bombing at a Turkish Airlines check-in counter by ASALA killed eight people.
- 2017: An individual attempted to disarm a soldier patrolling the airport as part of Operation Sentinelle and was subsequently shot and killed.
These events underscore the security challenges faced by major international airports.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Orly Airport" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
- Air France bids au revoir to Orly Airliner World January 2024 page 7
- https://www.exyuaviation.com/2025/09/transavia-france-to-launch-sarajevo.html#google_vignette
- https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250924-tons26
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Important Disclaimers
AI-Generated Content Notice
This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence model based on publicly available data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness, the information may not be entirely up-to-date or exhaustive. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only.
This is not official travel advice. Information regarding flight schedules, airline operations, and airport services is subject to change. Always consult the official Paris Orly Airport website (www.parisaeroport.fr) or your airline for the most current and accurate details before planning your travel.
The creators of this page are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided herein.